(a) A person to do the person's own work on the person's own residential building on the person's own premises, if the person complies with OAR chapter 918, division 690 and the plumbing requirements of the Oregon One- and Two-Family Dwelling Specialty Code; or

(b) To test, repair, service, maintain, install or replace any new or existing potable water pump equipment not exceeding seven and one-half horsepower on residential property and piping between such pump and storage tanks for such pumps, provided the person complies with all other provisions of OAR chapter 918, division 690.

(2) All plumbing installations, alterations or remodeling in a commercial or industrial building being constructed or being offered for sale, exchange, rent or lease shall be made by a licensed Oregon journeyman plumber or by a registered Oregon apprentice plumber.

[Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]

Qualifications. The minimum qualifications to take the journeyman plumber's certificate examination are:

(1) Satisfactory completion of a minimum four-year plumbing apprentice program in Oregon; or

(2) Equivalency requirements of at least four years academic training and on-the-job experience as an apprentice plumber, lawful journeyman plumber, or combination of both meeting the following minimum requirements:

(a) General items. 144 hours of academic training per year for each of at least four years generally in the following as it applies to plumbing:

(A) Materials, Tools, Equipment;

(B) Mathematics, Science;

(C) Soldering and Brazing;

(D) Plumbing and Related Codes;

(E) Drainage (DWV) Installations;

(F) Water Systems, Installations;

(G) Safety and First Aid;

(H) Blueprint Reading;

(I) Seismic Restraints.

(b) Specific items: Subject -- Hours:

(A) Sewerage: Sanitary and Storm Piping, Disposal:

(i) Residential -- 300;

(ii) Commercial -- 300.

(B) Drainage, Waste and Vent Piping (DWV):

(i) Residential -- 1,300;

(ii) Commercial -- 1,300.

(C) Soldering, Brazing, Welding:

(i) Residential -- 200;

(ii) Commercial -- 200.

(D) Water: Supply, Services, Mains, Appurtenances:

(i) Residential -- 1,100;

(ii) Commercial -- 1,100.

(E) Fixtures, Appliances, Trim and Supports:

(i) Residential -- 700;

(ii) Commercial -- 700.

(F) Miscellaneous Plumbing, Piping, Repair and Maintenance:

(i) Residential -- 250;

(ii) Commercial -- 250.

(G) Total Minimum Subject Hours:

(i) Residential -- 3,850;

(ii) Commercial -- 3,850.

(c) A person with more than the minimum hours in any one specific item category may substitute up to 20 percent of the excess hours to meet the related minimum residential or commercial experience requirements in the same category.

(1) All persons engaged in the installation, alteration or repair of medical gas and vacuum systems shall be certified in accordance with the requirements of this section. Installation and repair of electrical devices and other components not related or directly attached to the medical gas service equipment or distribution systems are exempt from the requirements of this section.

(2) Qualifications. The minimum qualifications to install medical gas systems are a current and valid:

(a) Oregon journeyman plumber license or registration as an Oregon apprentice plumber; and

(c) Persons possessing special certification by the board to install medical gas and vacuum systems while in the employ of a business holding a special medical gas registration to install, repair and maintain medical gas systems and possessing a valid medical gas installer certification as defined under subsection (2)(b) of this rule.

[Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]

Special Business Registration and Installer Certification for Medical Gas Systems

(1) The State Plumbing Board shall issue a special registration to businesses that provide the following:

(a) Completed and signed division application for special business registration and evidence that demonstrates that the medical gas system installation, maintenance or repair activity of the business in Oregon was substantial during the two-year period commencing October 23, 1997, and ending October 23, 1999. "Substantial" activity under this subsection means documentary evidence in the form of two separate signed statements from an Oregon Certified Public Accountant and an Oregon business owner attesting that the company has done at least 40 medical gas piping projects or at least $75,000 of gross business installing medical gas systems during the two-year period commencing October 23, 1997, and ending October 23, 1999;

(b) The issuance fee of $50; and

(c) Names of all employees who are engaged in medical gas system installation, maintenance or repair of medical gas systems by the business.

(2) The division shall issue a special medical gas installer certification to qualified persons who provide the following:

(a) Completed and signed division application for special medical gas installer certification;

(b) The issuance fee of $50; and

(c) List of companies with which employed.

(3) All registrations and certifications issued under these rules shall be renewed annually and no registration or certificate shall be issued or active after July 1, 2006.

(1) The employer shall submit to the board a detailed description of the training program and the means of its administration for the branch of the plumbing trade which the employer will conduct under OAR 918-695-0100.

(2) Program description shall include:

(a) The term of on-the-job training, including the minimum time required to learn, and the maximum time required by the employer to provide training, including any procedures for evaluating and crediting prior plumbing experience of the trainee;

(b) A breakdown of the job experience into work processes, and the number of hours of on-the-job training to be devoted to each work process;

(c) Provisions for related instructional training, including:

(A) The total hours of related training in addition to the on-the-job training;

(B) A breakdown of the related training into segments of instruction and hours to be devoted to each segment;

(C) Where and during what hours the related training shall take place; and

(D) The name of the related training instructor, if any, along with the instructor's qualifications in subject matter by experience and training; or

(E) The name of the correspondence course, together with any supplemental material to be used for related training; and

(d) The type and degree of on-the-job supervision of the trainee, including provision for assigning trainees to work under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or limited specialty plumber to the full extent necessary to insure proper training.

(3) Procedures to provide for periodic evaluation and reporting of the trainee's program effectiveness, and the maintenance of records of these evaluations shall be made available to the division and the board upon request.

(4) Methods of evaluating the trainee shall be established and the evaluations reported at least annually to the division and the board. Evaluations include rating of the trainee's on-the-job progress by the trainee's supervisor and testing of the trainee's related training progress by the trainee's instructor or through a correspondence school.

(1) Authorization and Scope. This rule creates a limited specialty plumbing license to install and replace residential water heaters.

(2) Persons Eligible for Licensing. A registered plumbing contractor also licensed under ORS 479.630 as an electrical limited maintenance specialty contractor can apply for this license. This allows licensing of:

(a) A limited specialty residential water heater plumbing class shall cover the requirements for installation of residential water heaters and the related administrative and enforcement provisions in statutes, rules and codes to obtain Chief Plumbing Inspector approval.

(b) The examination shall test applicant's knowledge of the items covered in subsection (a) of this section.

(6) Scope of Plumbing Authorized. As used in ORS 693.103(2):

(a) "Installation and replacement of one- or two-family dwelling residential water heaters" includes open (non-covered and not intended to be covered) plumbing work in a one- or two-family dwelling related to:

(A) Replacement or fuel conversion of an existing water heater;

(B) Installation of up to two nipples with no nipple exceeding six inches and flex piping not exceeding 24 inches for each of the cold and hot water connections; and

(b) "Existing plumbing" means the exposed pre-installed approved cold water supply piping used or designed to connect to the water heater extending to the exposed cold water shut-off supply valve. If there is no cold water shut-off supply valve, "existing plumbing" extends to and includes the connected water heater and does not allow a replacement by a limited specialty plumbing licensee under these rules.

(c) "Alteration of existing plumbing" means any changes to existing plumbing and includes installation or replacement of a cold water shut-off supply valve regardless of whether one was initially installed. Alterations are not authorized under these rules and the limited specialty plumbing license.

Limited Specialty Plumber Certificate of Competency for Solar Heating and Cooling System Installers

(1) Authorization and Scope. This rule creates a limited specialty plumbing certificate of competency to install and replace solar heating and cooling systems.

(2) Persons eligible for licensing. The experience and training requirements for licensure are:

(a) A minimum of 2,000 hours on-the-job verifiable experience installing solar heating or cooling systems prior to July 1, 2002 if the application is received between July 1, 2002 and July 1, 2004; or

(b) Satisfactory completion of a division-approved training program for Limited Specialty Plumber Solar Heating and Cooling Installers that includes the following:

(A) A minimum of 288 hours of classroom training; and

(B) A minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training; or

(c) Equivalent lawfully obtained experience and training covering:

(A) General items -- 500 hours of experience and training in:

(i) Materials, tools and equipment;

(ii) Mathematics and science;

(iii) Soldering and brazing;

(iv) Safety and Basic first aid;

(v) Blueprints and solar codes;

(vi) Water piping systems;

(vii) Basic electricity;

(viii) Administrative rules.

(B) Specific training or work experience in:

(i) Plumbing of solar thermal systems -- 500 hours;

(ii) Installation of balance of system equipment -- 500 hours;

(iii) Roof mounting and equipment installation -- 500 hours;

(iv) Total Minimum -- 2,000 hours.

(3) Procedure for Licensing. An applicant for licensing shall:

(a) Complete and sign the division application;

(b) Provide verification of the required training or equivalent experience; and

(c) Pay applicable fees;

(4) Examination. All applicants must take and pass a division-approved written examination testing the requirements for installation of solar heating and cooling systems, and the related administrative and enforcement provisions.

(b) May not connect a solar heating or cooling system to a potable water source. The connection of a solar heating or cooling system to a potable water source shall be made only by a licensed journeyman plumber.

(1) Authority and Scope. This rule is adopted by the board under ORS 670.310 and defines the conditions under which an apprentice plumber is authorized to engage in the trade of plumbing.

(2) For the purposes of this rule the following shall apply, except where the context clearly means otherwise:

(a) An "appropriate journeyman plumber" is one or more certified journeyman plumbers working for the same employing plumbing contractor as the apprentice.

(b) "Employing plumbing contractor" is the apprentice's employer who must be a registered plumbing contractor.

(c) "Immediate work site" is the normal area in which an employing plumbing contractor's employees are expected to be, within the company's job assignment. In the case of a service call, "immediate work site" shall include the structure and adjacent grounds where plumbing is performed and immediate vicinity, such as where service vehicles are parked.

(d) "Immediately available for advice and direction by voice communication mode" means that an appropriate journeyman plumber and apprentice have voice communication devices allowing two-way conversations.

(e) "JATC" is the joint apprenticeship training committee that regulates the training for a specific apprentice.

(3) A person is an "apprentice plumber" in ORS 693.010(1) and works under the supervision of a journeyman plumber, within the scope of activities authorized by ORS 693.040, if an ORS Chapter 660 apprentice engages in the plumbing trade and any of the following conditions exist while a plumbing apprentice works at the trade of plumbing;

(a) The apprentice works in the physical presence of an appropriate journeyman plumber. This requires an appropriate journeyman plumber's physical presence at the immediate work site at all times, except for not more than a cumulative 30 minutes during any work shift, provided:

(A) The 30 minutes referred to in subsection (a) of this section excludes time out for meals; and

(B) An appropriate journeyman plumber is immediately available for advice and direction by voice communication during all absences.

(b) The apprentice works subject to the supervision of an appropriate journeyman who is immediately available to the apprentice by voice communication but not necessarily physically present, provided:

(A) An appropriate journeyman plumber meets with the apprentice at least once each day to go over work done by the apprentice, with the meeting taking place either at the immediate work site or away from the work site;

(B) The activity is consistent with the JATC's work requirements;

(C) Only one apprentice plumber is working at a job site; and

(D) The apprentice:

(i) Only engages in water heater replacement or conversion after completing at least six months of apprentice training; at least eight hours of related training in the type of work, and receiving documentation of training and successful evaluation from the JATC in the type of work.

(ii) Engages in work covered in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph and ordinary minor repairs as defined in OAR 918-780-0120 in a one- or two-family dwelling after completing at least three periods of apprentice training; receiving related training, and successful evaluation from the JATC in the type of work.

(iii) Engages in work covered by subparagraphs (i) to (ii) of this paragraph and general repairs maintenance and replacement of existing plumbing, after completing at least four periods of apprentice training; appropriate training, and successful evaluation from the JATC in the type of work.

(iv) Engages in work covered by subparagraphs (i) to (iii) of this paragraph and new or remodel installations after completing at least five periods of apprentice training; receiving appropriate training, and successful evaluation from the JATC in the type of work.

(4) Enforcement provisions.

(a) For the purposes of building codes enforcement of apprenticeship requirements against a plumbing contractor, the following evidence shall be considered as sufficient proof to support compliance action alleging that an apprentice was not working under the supervision of a journeyman plumber:

(A) An appropriate journeyman plumber was not available for advice and direction by voice communication mode to an apprentice, if the apprentice:

(i) Does not know how to contact an appropriate journeyman plumber;

(ii) Cannot within a 15-minute period reach an appropriate journeyman by voice communication mode; or

(iii) Is not equipped with a voice communication device or does not have access to a telephone at the work site.

(B) An appropriate journeyman plumber was not at the immediate work site if the apprentice:

(i) Is only allowed to work in the physical presence of a journeyman under subsection (3)(a) of this rule; and

(ii) The apprentice works alone at the immediate job site for more than 30 minutes, excluding time off for the apprentice's normal meal break.

(C) An appropriate journeyman plumber did not meet with the apprentice at least once each day, to review the apprentice's work, if the apprentice:

(i) Is not able to state the time, place and type of work that was reviewed for each of the last two working days; and

(ii) Cannot identify or describe the journeyman who did the review for each of the dates covered by paragraph (A) of this section.

(b) For the purposes of building codes enforcement of apprenticeship requirements against a plumbing contractor, an apprentice shall be considered as one required to work only in the physical presence of a journeyman under subsection (3)(a) of this rule if the apprentice did not produce the documentation complying with paragraphs (A) to (C) or (D) of this subsection.

(A) Completion of a specific apprentice training segment;

(B) Training covering the specific work being reviewed;

(C) Successful evaluation report covering the specific work being reviewed;

(D) A document from the JATC designating all the conditions of paragraphs (A) to (C) of this subsection were met.

(1) Scope. To promote effective and uniform enforcement of the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code by improving the competence of plumbing inspectors, this rule establishes minimum training and experience qualifications to make inspections for compliance with the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code.

(3) Limits on Municipalities. Nothing in the rules prohibits a local government from establishing additional requirements in the selection and hiring of plumbing inspectors. Nothing in OAR chapter 918, divisions 750 to 785 is intended to dictate the internal administrative organization of a city or county or to limit or otherwise affect the authority of a municipality to dismiss or suspend an inspector.

(4) Plumbing inspectors must meet continuing education requirements established by the division under OAR 918-098-1450.

(5) Application for Certification. A person seeking certification under this rule must apply for an Oregon Code Certification as provided in OAR 918-098-1025.

(6) Qualifications. An applicant will be certified as a plumbing inspector under this rule if the following minimum qualifications are met:

(a) Experience and Training:

(A) 3 years of employment and experience as a Journeyman Plumber, with an Oregon Journeyman Plumber's license or its equivalent;

(B) A degree in mechanical engineering or certified professional registration with 2 years of work experience in plumbing design, installation, or inspection;

(C) 4 years of work experience in the inspection of plumbing installations of which at least 2 years is of commercial, industrial, and multi-family structures, or if the 4 years of work experience is in the inspection of residential installations, the completion of a division-approved plumbing inspector training program; or

(D) Experience and training equivalent to paragraphs (A), (B), and (C) of this subsection; or

(E) Persons certified as Oregon one and two family dwelling plumbing inspectors as of April 1, 1998 and completing five years of plumbing inspection experience are considered qualified to sit for examinations as a plumbing inspector.

(a) Upon application, the division may examine and evaluate any program or facility established by a municipality or educational institution for the training of plumbing inspectors.

(b) If the division finds that a training program meets the minimum requirements established pursuant to this rule, the division shall, in writing, certify the training program as qualified for such time and conditions as the division may prescribe. An individual complies with any minimum requirement for plumbing inspector established pursuant to classification and requirements in this rule after satisfactorily completing a training program certified under this rule.

(8) A person issued a plumbing inspector certification or a limited plumbing inspector building sewers certification under this rule must also possess a valid Oregon Inspector Certification issued under OAR 918-098-1025 prior to performing plumbing inspections or plan reviews.

(9) Special Certification:

(a) Limited Certification. The division, with board approval, may issue a limited certification for special types of inspections. Such limited certification will only be issued after the applicant passes an appropriate test of knowledge and ability;

(b) Limited Plumbing Inspector — Building Sewers. Limited certification for plumbing inspection of building sewers from five feet outside the building to the disposal terminal or connection with a main sewer line may be issued. To be certified, an applicant must have the following qualifications:

(A) A Journeyman Plumber License;

(B) Two years' experience in sewer design, installation, or inspection; or

(C) Experience and training equivalent to paragraph (A) or (B) of this subsection approved by the board; and

(D) Passing a board-approved examination on code, materials, and installation practices for building sewers and sewers.

(10) For purposes of this rule, one year of experience is equal to 2,000 hours.

[Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]

(1) Scope. To promote effective and uniform enforcement of the Plumbing Specialty Code by improving the competence of plumbing inspectors, this rule establishes minimum training and certification qualifications to make inspections for compliance with the Plumbing Specialty Code. Persons employed for purposes of enforcing the requirements of other administrative agencies are exempt from this section.

(2) No person shall be appointed or employed as a medical gas plumbing inspector by any municipality without being currently certified under the provisions of this rule.

(3) Qualifications. Persons shall be certified as an Oregon plumbing inspector for inspections for compliance with the Plumbing Specialty Code.

(4) Examination. Persons shall have a current and valid medical gas certification issued by a division-approved organization meeting the provisions of ASSE 6020-1997 Standard for Medical Gas Systems Inspectors Professional Qualifications.

[Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]

The official copy of an Oregon Administrative Rule is
contained in the Administrative Order filed at the Archives Division,
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published version are satisfied in favor of the Administrative Order.
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